Feeling guilty for stopping breastfeeding

[guiltandchocolate]

I was still feeding my 2 year old but developed severe and sudden aversion at 17 weeks pregnant. Persevered till 20 weeks because with coronavirus I thought it’s good to carry on for the antibodies but then I just couldn’t anymore

I feel so so guilty but I cannot explain how awful the aversion was I think I had a severe case
Will 2 years of breastmilk have boosted his immune system anyway ? I’m feeling quite down about it

Wow, well done!

Please don't feel guilty you have an absolutely amazing job. So few children are breastfed until 2. You have given him a wonderful start and absolutely helped his immunity. You should be really proud. Also just to try and put your mind at rest further, covid is more likely to affect adults, children fortunately are much much less affected.

Breastfeeding is about both of you, and you get to choose to stop. It sounds like you've made a careful choice to stop. It should be something that is beneficial for both of you but doesn't sound like it is anymore due to your aversion. I can see from your post it's not been an easy decision. Please be proud of what you've given your child, it's a huge achievement.

2 years is amazing! I stopped breastfeeding DS after he turned 2 (did it gradually so it took a couple of months). It was a bit sad but I was ready. DS was and is fine.

Congratulations for breastfeeding for 2 years, you did a wonderful thing for your child and you shouldn't feel guilty.

Blimey, I thought when I opened this thread up you would be 3 weeks in... 2 years?? You've done amazingly well! Don't be so hard on yourself.

I’m unsure if my milk had dried up but I just suddenly couldntcope with him feeding it was as if he was grating me with his teeth and I couldn’t even let him latch for more than a few seconds I kept trying when he asked but it got impossible as it was physically painful but giving me horrific agitation?

I think if it wasn’t for coronavirus I’d have felt better about it but on a fb group I kept seeing how to delay stopping if you’re considering it due to cv and then I felt so guilty 🙁
He’s eating so much better now though so I’m telling myself that’s a plus that he’s getting lots more vitamins from real food but the guilt is hard

I breastfed when pregnant and the aversion was unreal so I don't blame you for stopping. 2 years is a great achievement.

Why do you think two years isn't enough? How long would be acceptable to you?

I had fed my older dc to 3 , which from ages 2-2.5 was bedtime and nap time and 2.5-3 just bedtime but it was such a lovely experience with them this time this aversion was awful
I feel guilty because they had all the antibodies etc for longer I think. I’d really got myself into the role of this extended breast feeder and I feel like I’d take it for granted with no issues at first and to suddenly have issues so far in from weeks 6-12 of pregnancy my nipples were bleeding which I’d never had before and then the aversion and pain it’s really really thrown me but I had to stop so abruptly
I’ve left the fb groups I was on as all the advice re aversion is one feed at a time etc and to delay stopping atm due to coronavirus and it made me feel worse
Ds, is fine, he asked a few times I said ‘they are sleeping or the milk has all gone’ and gave him a cup of water or milk and he’s been 100% fine it’s just me

Good idea to leave the groups. Some of them can be very pushy.

I had such bad nursing aversion (even pre-pregnancy!) that I nearly weaned every month from 11 months onwards! Despite always assuming I’d feed to 2+! I cut down his feeds quite a lot over time and by 15 months he only fed first thing in the morning. When I got pregnant he self weaned, I was about 8 weeks, he was 18 months. I was SO RELIEVED. Despite all of the Corona worry.

2 is amazing! You have to remember that certain Facebook groups (I can think of one in particular that I’m sure you’re on) are a massive dick measuring contest of weirdness where everyone is desperate to feed the longest and anyone who dares wean is some kind of horrible monster. There is definitely an argument for taking a more moderate approach. I like sleep tbh.